Over 40 Home Educated children from all over Cornwall enjoyed a beautiful day at Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith with their families some having travelled from as far as Penwith and Liskeard.

The day started with a workshop to celebrate Home Education and involved everyone drawing around their hands on card. These card hands were then decorated and everyone wrote on them their wishes and hopes for the future. Most stressed that they loved having the freedom to learn in the way that most benefitted them as individuals.

It was fantastic to see everyone from babes to grandparents getting involved in the workshop. It was a very positive and supportive environment for all the families.

Lunch was eaten in glorious sunshine on the beach at Trebah, where children of all ages played and explored together. The popular misconception that Home Educated children don't socialise was completely blown out of the water by the day. The teenagers were helping the younger ones and proved to be excellent role models. All children were relaxed with adults too and felt it was great that their views were important.

The decorated hands are to be sent on to Hands Up 4 Home Education as part of a national petition to be taken to Downing Street. The Government are planning to hold a consultation with Local Authorities and Home Education groups, as to how best to implement the Government Policy 'Every Child Matters'. It could mean more intervention in the way that children are taught at home. Completely devastating for those children who have special educational needs or who are particularly vulnerable after the state system has failed them.

Families decide to Home Educate for various reasons but for many it is a life saving option. Children who are really struggling at school or who are being bullied, gain greater confidence in their own abilities and thrive in a more relaxed and often informal atmosphere. Some families have an autonomous or child lead approach whilst others have a more structured day. Whatever the style the parents do not by any means take the easy option by educating their children at home. They provide many different learning opportunities for their family and regular weekly gatherings like at Trebah enhance that.

Michelle Dickson who organised the day at Trebah would like to thank Trebah Trust for their generosity in allowing the group to use their facilities for the workshop. Vera Woodcroft has been especially supportive of us as a group, and we can't thank her and the staff enough for their help. It is always a pleasure to visit.